St. Ephraem the Syrian On the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the World~

Understand that when ROMAN empire or Roman Kingdom is mentioned.....it is not refering to the Roman Catholic church....

Or when Catholic is used........again it is not the Roman Catholic church...

I'm not going to include all of the prophecy as it is too long..........

Quote///Chapter 1

Dearly beloved brothers, believe the Holy Spirit who speaks in us.
We have already told you that the end of the world is near, the consummation remains.
Has not faith withered away among mankind?
How many foolish things are seen among youths, how many crimes among prelates, how many lies among priests, how many perjuries among deacons! There are evil deeds among the ministers, adulteries in the aged, wantonness in the youths-in mature women false faces, in virgins dangerous traces!
In the midst of all this there are the wars with the Persians, and we see struggles with diverse nations threatening and "kingdom rising against kingdom'' (Matt. 24:7).
When the Roman empire begins to be consumed by the sword, the coming of the Evil One is at hand. It is necessary that the world come to an end at the completion of the Roman empire.

In those days two brothers will come to the Roman empire who will rule with one mind; but because one will surpass the other, there will be a schism between them.
And so the Adversary will be loosed and will stir up hatred between the Persian and Roman empires.
In those days many will rise up against Rome; the Jewish people will be her adversaries.
There will be stirrings of nations and evil reports, pestilences, famines, and earth quakes in various places.
All nations will receive captives; there will be wars and rumors of wars.
From the rising to the setting of the sun the sword will devour much.
The times will be so dangerous that in fear and trembling they will not permit thought of better things, because many will be the oppressions and desolations of regions that are to come.

Chapter 2


We ought to understand thoroughly therefore, my brothers, what is imminent or overhanging.
Already there have been hunger and plagues, violent movements of nations and signs, which have been predicted by the Lord, they have already been fulfilled (consummated), and there is not other which remains, except the advent of the wicked one in the completion of the Roman kingdom.
Why therefore are we occupied with worldly business,
and why is our mind held fixed on the lusts of the world or on the anxieties of the ages?
Why therefore do we not reject every care of worldly business,
and why is our mind held fixed on the lusts of the world or on the anxieties of the ages?
Why therefore do we not reject every care of earthly actions and prepare ourselves for the meeting of the Lord Christ,
so that he may draw us from the confusion,
which overwhelms all the world?
Believe you me,
dearest brother,
because the coming (advent) of the Lord is nigh, believe you me, because the end of the world is at hand,
believe me, because it is the very last time.
Or do you not believe unless you see with your eyes?
See to it that this sentence be not fulfilled among you of the prophet who declares:
"Woe to those who desire to see the day of the Lord!"

For all the saints and elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins.
And so, brothers most dear to me, it is the eleventh hour,
and the end of the world comes to the harvest, and angels, armed and prepared, hold sickles in their hands, awaiting the empire of the Lord.
And we think that the earth exists with blind infidelity, arriving at its downfall early.
Commotions are brought forth, wars of diverse peoples and battles and incursions of the barbarians threaten, and our regions shall be desolated, and we neither become very much afraid of the report nor of the appearance, in order that we may at least do penance; because they hurl fear at us, and we do not wish to be changed, although we at least stand in need of penance for our actions!

Chapter 3

.......continues to chapter 10.....
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IX
helen

St Ephraim's Life.... St. Ephraim was born early in the fourth century in the ancient city of Nisibis in Mesopotamia, where the Roman Empire bordered on the Persian Kingdem. At one time Mesopotamia belonged to Syria and for this reason St. Ephraim is known as "the Syrian."

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[edit on 6/18/2005 by helen670]